Wit & Wisdom promotes its bourbon collection

Richard GorelickThe Baltimore Sun

September is National Bourbon Heritage Month, and Wit & Wisdom is soaking in the stuff.

The contemporary tavern at the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore is promoting its selection of small-batch and rare bourbons with a bourbon tasting punch card. Anyone who drinks all 20 featured bourbons listed on the card will get to attend a bourbon tasting class with the hotel's beverage director Tiffany Soto, along with five friends. And a guest who tries 10 of the bourbons will get a complimentary bourbon and appetizer pairing, redeemable in October.

Soto said that bourbon is already a big favorite at Wit & Wisdom. "We have a really healthy following of bourbon fans," said Soto. "We see more bourbon calls than anything beside vodka. [Bourbon drinkers] know what they want and they're unhappy when we don't have it."

Listed on the bourbon card are rare and small-batch bourbons on Wit & Wisdom's shelves like Willett Pot Still Reserve, Black Maple Hill and Rock Hill Single Barrel. But Soto said the appealing thing about bourbon is its affordability, especially compared to spirits like Scotch or tequila, whose premium brands can make for an expensive hobby. "You can taste 20 bourbons and never hit a $14 dollar pour," Soto said.

Also during September, Wit & Wisdom is running a bourbon-based cocktail hour, daily from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., featuring a new bourbon punch each week. Soto described this week's punch, the Horse and Carriage, as a “classic take” with chamomile, Jim Beam, grapefruit rind and a splash of Champagne. "You don't see bourbon much at happy hours," Soto said. "We're trying to spread the bourbon love."

Soto recommends pairing bourbon with wings from the tavern menu. Her personal preference for a bourbon snack, though, Soto said, is deviled eggs.

Wit & Wisdom, A Tavern by Michael Mina is in the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore. For information call 410-576-5800 or go to www.witandwisdombaltimore.com.